By 
November 3rd, 2025
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Preparations are underway for China’s upcoming Shenzhou-20 crew landing in the Dongfeng Landing Site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Multiple rehearsals have been carried out to prepare for search and recovery operations.
The three Shenzhou-20 crew members — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — are returning to Earth after a six-month stint in space.
Landing area
“Our five helicopters will be deployed around the landing area of the return capsule, forming a square with the four sides approximately 26 kilometers long each, arranged in a tiered formation into the air,” said Wang Wenjuan, a member of the detachment.
“This setup will ensure that the landing area of the return capsule remains perfectly centered within this square,” Wang told China Central Television (CCTV).
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Systematic drills
The medical rescue team also carried out systematic drills, centering on medical treatment under extreme conditions, such as low temperature and darkness.
“We’re familiarized with the treatment process and have renewed our first-aid equipment, which allows our team members to conduct treatment more effectively,” Wang Bingjun, leader of the medical aid team with search and rescue mission for Shenzhou-20, told CCTV.
Astronauts on the Shenzhou-21 manned spaceship were greeted by the Shenzhou-20 crew, who they will be replacing, after successfully docking with China’s Tiangong space station in orbit on November 1 to begin the handover of duties.
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The Shenzhou-20 crew is now onboard China’s Tiangong space station, engaged in handover procedures with the recently arrived Shenzhou-21 crew members.
Go to this CCTV video spotlighting practice sessions for recovery of the Shenzhou-20 crew at:
Posted in Space News
